Gyrotonic brings grace into workout

Gyrotonic is a way of increasing range of motion, coordination and strength by performing prescribed graceful circular motions. It is practiced with a machine called the Gyrotonic Expansion System.

By Lynn Celmer

At first glance, some of the equipment used to perform Gyrotonic exercises may look like a medieval torture device, with the series of pulleys, ropes and wheels. However, many people can learn and potentially benefit by practicing Gyrotonic.

According to the Gyrotonic Web site, Gyrotonic is a way of increasing range of motion, coordination and strength by performing prescribed graceful circular motions. It is practiced with a machine called the Gyrotonic Expansion System.

Invented in the early 1980s in the United States, more Gyrotonic studios are popping up.

Gyrotonic training can be practiced by everyone regardless of age or fitness capability, according to Fernando Garcia, an Elmhurst Gyrotonic studio owner and certified personal trainer.

“This exercise is very low-impact and uses a variety of very fluid movements,” Garcia said. “Gyrotonic increases flexibility and helps elongate the spine.”

Garcia added that breathing patterns are essential to Gyrotonic exercise.

“Each exercise is synchronized with a corresponding breathing pattern to enhance aerobic and cardiovascular stimulation,” he said.

Marya Gibbons of Elmhurst has been doing Gyrotonic for a couple of months and chalks her improved golf swing up to her newfound fitness routine.

“I went golfing a few years ago and could not hit the ball for the life of me,” Gibbons said. “I recently tried golfing again and I noticed a lot of the same movements that are used in Gyrotonic are used in my golf swing.”

Gibbons added she also noticed a huge improvement in her posture and a great improvement in her overall flexibility.

Another advantage of Gyrotonic is that clients work one on one with the trainer, so they get more personal attention than they would with a conventional workout, Gibbons said.

“With a personal trainer, they usually tell you how to perform certain exercises and then have you go off on your own and do it,” Rita said. “With Gyrotonic you have someone there all the time, so you can be sure you are performing the exercises correctly.”

“Because it’s one-on-one training, it forces me to go,” Gibbons said. “I have to complete the one-hour session as opposed to going to the gym and maybe giving up after 20 minutes on a cardio machine.”

Gibbons’ mother-in-law, Rita Gibbons of Elmhurst, also has been doing Gyrotonic for about two months.

“When I first started, I couldn’t do some of the stretches all of the way down,” Rita Gibbons said. “I have noticed that since starting Gyrotonic, I am more flexible and can move a lot better.”

One-hour sessions with the Gyrotonic system and a specialist cost about $65 each. Packages of training sessions can be purchased at a slightly discounted rate.